Car truck



Feb..2 0, 1940. R! c. HOBSON CAR TRUCK Filed Oct. 23, 1937 2.Sheets-Sheet 1 H/% MMWY, no M M vfim m W Y B R. C. HOBSON CAR TRUCK Feb. 20, 1940.

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 20, 1940 can 'rrwox Roy 0. Hobson, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignor to National Malleable and Steel Castings Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 23, 1937, Serial No. 170,588

. 18 Claims. (Cl. 105-193) This invention relates to railway car trucks. One of its objects resides in the provision of a novel car truck wherein part of the loads or forces from the bolster are transmitted to the side frames at points directly below the side frame columns, resulting in reduced bending moments and secondary bending stresses in the tension and compression members and the side frame columns. Another object is to provide a construction wherein normal loads or shocks from the bolster are taken by the side frame at its. central portion and at points directly below the side frame columns but which provides for the direction of load or shocks great enough to cause the springs to run solid to points below the side frame columns only. The invention further comprises new-and improved means for f ctionally supplementing the resistance offered by the bolster supporting springs to downward movement of the bolster and for damping oscillations of said springs. The invention also provides improved features in conjunction with the type oi car truck illustrated in my Patents No. 2,091,853, issued August 31,v l937,-and No. 2,091,854, issued August 31, 1937, wherein there is disclosed a spring snubbing arrangement comprising rocker elements having horizontal arms underlying the bolster supporting springs and vertical arms extending along opposite sides of the bolster and adapted under the pressure of said springs to generate friction at the sides of the bolster for assisting the springs in resisting downward travel of the bolster and damping oscillations of said pr ngs.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure-1 is a fragmentary view partly in vertical section and partly in side elevation of a car truck embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional-view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse verticalsectional view taken on line 3-4 of Fig. 1. v

side frame and its co-operationwith the bolster is suflicientfor' an understanding of my invention. V

Pivotally mounted on the side frame are a pair of rocker members in the form of bell crank levers l4, l4 the short horizontal arms of which underlie a suitable seat member I5 which carries the bolster supporting springs l6, [6. Each of the rockers i4 is pivotally mounted on the side frame through the medium of an intermediate curved portion H of the rocker, which seats in a correspondingly curved portion 18 of the side frame. Each curved portion ll aforesaid is shown below a corresponding one of the columns l3 and in the region wherein the horizontal tension portion I2 merges with'an adjacent tension member II. The columns 13 are channel-shaped in cross section, as shown particularly in Fig. 2,

crowned, as shown, to enable the rockers and spring seat to engage at substantially the same point regardless of variations in the rocker and.

spring seat castings arising in the manufacture thereof.

The sides 22, 22 of eachof the channel-shaped columns l3 merge at their upper ends with the side walls of the channel-shaped compression member 10, and at their bottoms with the side walls 25, 250i the horizontal tension member l2, said sides 22, 22 also merging with the side walls of the adjacent channel-shaped and inclined tension member ll.

The back wall or web 24 of each of the columns l3, instead of extendingdownwardly to merge with the bottom wall 26 or web of the adjacent tension member H, terminates a considerable distance above said bottom wall. As shown, the bottom of said back wall is positioned adjacent the upper end of the curved end portions 21 of the side walls of said tension member II in the region where said side walls merge with the column side walls 22. Said back wall 24 is thus shown terminating above the lowermost points on the upper edges of the inclined tension memher side walls. Extending upwardly from the bottom wall 26*of each inclined tension member 1 is a projection 28, the curved surface 29 of which merges into the curved upper surface 30 of the curved bottom wan al of the horizontal tension member I2. Said inclined surfaces 26 and 36 form the previouslymentioned curved seat I8 for the associated rocker I4, the rockers in normal position being seated as shown in Fig. 1, and the extended surfaces 29 providing bearings for the rocker elements during relative tilting movements between the side frame and rockers. Due to the above-mentioned termination of the back wall 24 of each column a substantial distance above theweb of the adjacent inclined tension member there is provided, between the bottom of said back wall and the top of the associated projection 28, an opening 35- through which ready access may be had to the corresponding rocker I4. This is of particular utility in connection with removal of the side frame as transmitted by said springs to said seat will act on rockers I4. Depending from the spring seat are projections 36, 36. Between these projections is a web 31 integral with said tension portion and extending across the top thereof, from one side wall to the other; said web co-operating withsaid projections 36, 36 to maintain said spring seat in proper central relation in the side frame 'window opening. Upwardly extending flanges 38, 38 are provided on seat I6. to maintain springs I6, I6 in position. The central pore tion of the spring seat is cut away on both sides as shown at 39 in Fig. 2 to clear the other springs 46, 46 which are supported by the lateral extensions 4|, H of the side frame. Said extensions are also provided with upwardly extending flanges 42, 42 to maintain springs 46, 46 in position and are provided with strengthening ribs 43, 43. A spring plate 44 is interposed between the bolster and the tops of the springs I6, I6. It will be noted that springs I6, I6 supp rted by seat I5 are positioned at a higher level than springs 46, 46 supported by projections 4|, 4! and consequently with no car body on the truck only springs I6, I6 support the bolster, a clearance being maintained between the bottom of the bolster and the top of springs 46, 46, as indicated at 48. It will thus be apparent that where all the springs have the same solid height, only springs I6, I6 will go solid under heavy impacts by .the bolster, so that oversolid blows will be transmitted-to the rocker seating portion I6 of the side frame only through-springs I6.- As will also be evident with this arrangement only that part of the load carried by the springs I6, I6 will beutilized to generate friction oscillations of the bolster.

The friction producing mechanism which operto prevent any undue ates to oppose vertical movements of .the bolster and to damp oscillations of the springs comprises the bolster, seat I6, rockers I 4, and wear shoes or. equalizer members 56 interposed between said bolster and rockers. Each shoe 66 has a projection 6| extending outwardly from an intermediate spondingly curved surface 64. Socket 63 also has side walls or flanges adapted to co-operate with the sides 56 of shoes 56 during transverse movement of said bolster. Flanges 51, 63 on the shoes extend respectively above and below said projection 5| to provide with the remainder of apertured, as at 6I, for the insertion of a pin to hold the shoes in their respective sockets in the bolster during assembly of the truck. The rockers are provided with end flanges 62, 62 to guide the vertical movement of shoes 56 and to limit their movement laterally with respect to the side frame. The bolster is provided with lugs 63 which are adapted to contact flanges 64 extending from opposite sides of the side walls 22 of the columns I3 during sudden thrusts of the bolster as occur during acceleration or braking of the car. Lugs 63 are also adapted toco-operate with flanges 62 of the rockers to limit the transverse movement of the bolster. Since each of the rockers extends between the side walls of the associated column I3 and each shoe 56 extends between the pair of associated rocker end flanges 62, 62 and has its projection 5I received in a socket 53 in said bolster, it will be apparent that through said lugs, shoes, and rockers the bolster is maintained in assembled relation to the side frame. I

From the foregoing description it will be clear that the bolster load actingon springs I6, I6 is imparted to the seatmember I5, andthence to the rockers I4, I4, and shos 56, 56, resulting in the generation of friction between said shoes and associated rockers to damp the oscillations of the springs. Also in addition to effectively preventing the undesirable harmonic oscillations of said springs, my arrangement provides for the directionof bolster impacts great enough to cause springs I6, I6 to go solid to points below the columns I3, I3, so that secondary stresses are eliminated, making possible a lighter frame than if said loads were applied in the conventional manner to the central portion of the side frame. 50

bolster is jacked up to a position close to the "top of the window opening. The operator can now reach through each of the openings 36 to the corresponding rocker and may then-pull the rocker back into itsadjacent column I3 until the [end flanges 62 of the rockers clear the shoes 66. Following the removal of the journal box wedges and brasses the side frame can be readily slipped off the bolster.

The terms and expressions which I have em, ployed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions,- of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

What I claim is:

1. In a car truck, a side frame comprising, compression and tension members 'and spaced integral columns connecting said members and providing a bolster receiving window therebetween, a bolster extending into said window, said bolster having friction surfaces, spring means supported by said side frame beneath said bolster for supporting the same, and rocker means engaging said surfaces and carried within the side walls of said tension member for supporting part only of said spring means.

2. In a car truck, a side frame comprising compression and tension members and spaced integral columns connecting said members and providing a bolster receiving window therebetween, a bolster extending into said window, said bolster having friction surfaces, spring means supported by said side frame beneath said bolster for supporting the same, and rocker means car-' ried within the side walls of said tension member for supporting part only of said spring means,

said means being on the longitudinal center line of said frame and having portions frictionally engaging said surfaces. 3. In a car truck, a side frame comprisin compression and. tension members and spaced integral columns connecting said members and providing a bolster receiving window therebetween, a bolster extending into said window, spring means supported by said side frame beneath said bolster for supporting the same, part of said spring means being on the longitudinal center line of said frame, and rocker means carried within the side walls of said tension member for supporting said part of said spring means positioned on the longitudinal center line of said frame, said rocker means having portions adapted to frictionally cooperate with said bolster for snubbing oscillations of all of said spring means.

:4. In a car truck, a side frame comprising compression and tension members and spaced integral columns connecting said members and providing a bolster receiving window therebetween, a bolster extending into said window, spring means supported by said side frame beneath, said bolster for supporting the same rocker members on said side frame frictionally cooperating with said bolster for resisting vertical movement thereof, and means between the side walls of said tension member carried by said rocker members for supporting part only of integral columns connecting said members and providing a bolster receiving window, lateral projections on said frame, a bolster extending into said window, spring means beneath said bolster for supporting the same, part of said spring means being supported by said lateral projections, and means rockably supported within the side walls of said tension member for supporting the remainder of said spring means, said means having upwardly extending portions adapted to cooperate with said bolster to generate friction in regions at the sides thereof for snubbing oscillations of all of said spring means.

6. In a car truck, a side frame comprising compression and tension members .and spaced integral columns connecting said members and providing a bolster receiving window, lateral projections on said frame, a bolster extending into said window, spring means beneath said bolster for supporting the same, part of said spring means being-supported by said lateral projections, and means pivotally supported within the side walls f said tension member for supporting the remainder of said spring means, said means having upwardly extending portions adapted to cooperate with said bolster to generate friction in regions at the sides thereof for snubbing oscillations of all of said spring means, said last mentioned means having its spring supporting surface at a higher level than said lateral projections 7. In a car truck, a side frame comprising compression and tension members and spaced integral columns connecting said members and providing. a bolster receiving window therebetween, a bolster extending into said window, lateral projections on said frame, rocker memberson said frame frictionally cooperating with said bolster for snubbing movements thereof, spring means beneath said bolster for supporting the same, said lateral projections supporting part of said spring means, and means between the side walls of said tension member carried by said rocker members for supporting the rest of said spring means.

8. In a car truck, a'side frame comprising compression and tension members and integral columns connecting said members and providing a bolster receiving window therebetween, a bolster extending into said window, spring means below said bolster for supporting the same and being positioned on the longitudinal center line of said frame, other spring means on said side frame below said bolster on either side of said first-named spring means for supporting said bolster, rocker members on said side frame frictionally cooperating with said bolster for snubbing movements thereof, and means between the side walls of said tension member carried by said rocker members for supporting said firstnamed spring means.

9. In a car truck, a side frame comprising tension and compression members and integral columns joining said members and providing a bolster receiving window therebetween, a bolster extending into said window, spring means below said bolster for supporting the same and positioned on the longitudinal center line of said frame, other spring means of the same solid height as said first-named spring means supported on said side frame on either side of said first-named spring means for supporting said bolster, rocker members on said side frame supporting said first-named spring means adapted to cooperate with said bolster to generate friction in regions at the sides thereof, said parts being so constructed and arranged that oversolid blows on said bolster are transmitted to said side frame only through said first-named spring means.

10. In a car truck, a side frame and a bolster, spring means beneath said bolster for supporting the same, rockermembers on' said side frame each having an arm supporting a part of said spring means and an arm adjacent a side of said bolster, said bolster having a vertically curved socket on a side thereof facing one of said arms, a shoe in saidsocket and engaging said last-named arm, said shoe being adapted to rotate in said socket during relative vertical angling between said side frame and bolster, and means on said side frame supporting the remainder of said spring means.

11. In a car truck, a side frame comprising tension and compression members and integral columns joining said members and providing a bolster receiving window therebetween, a bolster extending into said window, spring means below said bolster for supporting the bolster. a portion 15 tension and compression members and integral columns joining said members and providing a bolster receiving window therebetween, a bolster extending into said window, spring means below said bolster adapted to support the latter and to transmit loads to a portion of the side frame between said columns, other spring means below said bolster for supporting the latter, and means cooperating with the last-named spring means and frictionally cooperating with the sides of said bolster for transmitting loads thereon to points on the side frame below said columns, said parts being so constructed and arranged that over-solid blows on the bolster are transmitted to the side frame only through the lastnamed spring means.

13. In a car" truck, a side frame comprising tension and compression members and integral columns joining said members and providing a bolster receiving window therebetween, a bolster extending into said window, spring means below said bolster adapted to support the latter and to transmit loads to a portion of the side frame between said columns, other spring means below said bolster for supporting the latter, and means cooperating 'with the last-named spring means and frictionally cooperating with the sides of said bolster for transmitting loads thereon to' points on the side frame below said columns, said last-named spring means being positioned at such a higher level than the first-named spring means that said last-named spring means will go solid while said first-named spring means is still in excess of its solid height.

14. In a car truck, a side frame comprising compression and tension members and integral connecting columns joining said members and providing a bolster receiving window therebetween, a bolster extending into said window, friction means carried by said bolster, spring means below the bolster for. supporting the latter, a portion of said spring means being arranged to transmit loads-thereon to a portion of the side frame between said columns, and rocker means interposed between another portion of said spring means and said side frame and cooperating with said other portion of said spring means and with said bolster friction means for generating friction in response to vertical movements of the bolster. Y

15. In a car truck, a side frame comprising compression and tension members and integral connecting columns joining said members andr providing a bolster receiving window therebe-' tween, a bolster extending into said window, spring means below the bolster for supporting the latter, aportion of said spring means being arranged to transmit loads thereon to a portion 2,190,648 of said spring means being arranged to transmit of the side frame between said columns, and rocker means interposed between another portion of said spring means and said side frame and cooperating with said other portion of said spring means and engaging said bolster for gen- 5 erating friction in regions at the sides of the. bolster in response to vertical movements of the bolster.

16. In a car truck, a side frame comprising compression and tension members and spaced integral columns connecting said members and providing a bolster receiving window therebetween, a bolster extending into said window, lateral projections on said frame, rocker members on said frame having portions engaging said 15 bolster for developing friction therewith, spring means beneath said bolster for supporting the same, said lateral projections supporting part of said springmeans, and means between the side walls of said tensionmember carried by said rocker members for supporting the rest of said spring means, said rocker members being arranged to transmit loads to points on said side frame directly beneath said columns.

1'1. In a car truck, a side frame comprising 35 compression and tension members and integral columns connecting said members and providing a bolster receiving window therebetween, a bolster extending into said window, spring means below said bolster for supporting the same and 30 being positioned on the longitudinal center line of said frame, other spring means on said side frame below said bolster on either side of said first-named spring means, rocker members on said side frame having portions engaging said bolster for developing friction therewith, and means between the side walls of said tension member carried by said rocker members for supporting said first-named spring means, said rocker members being arranged to transmit loads to points on said side frame directly beneath said columns.

18. In a car truck, a side frame comprising tension and compression members and integral columns joining said members and providing a bolster receiving window therebetween, a bolster extending into said window, spring means below said bolster for supporting the same and positioned on the longitudinal center line of said frame, other spring means of the same solid 50 bolster are transmitted to said side frame only through said first-named" spring means, said rocker members being arranged to transmit loads to points onsaid side frame directly beneath said columns. ROY C. HOBSON. 35 

